Friday, 26 November 2010

Biodiversity

Le ThorHere INRA (the French National Institute of Research on Agronomy) presents a large variety of capsicums cultivated worldwide. Just a bit further you find an amazing display of different types of apples, potatoes, shallots, onions, garlic, but also honey, seeds and books about pesticide-free gardening. Where are we? At the third Biodiversity Festival which was held last weekend (20-21 November) in Le Thor, a few kilometres east of Avignon.

Des variétés de pommes dont je n'avais jamais entendu parler : blanche, d'adam, calville rouge d'hiver, courbis, bancasse de Bresse, api rose, api étoilée, nationale, belle fille des salins, fenouillet gris... Regardez bien la pomme d'api étoilée, au milieu en bas : elle a vraiment une forme d'étoile !Kokopelli is a French non for profit organisation based in Alès, not far from Avignon, whose purpose is the preservation of seed variety and diversity. They sell organic seeds and also distribute them for free in third world countries, encouraging small farmers and individuals to make and exchange seeds from their own home gardens. Kokopell's international arm is the Kokopelli Seed Foundation whose purpose is to provide access to open-pollinated seeds as a way to alleviate hunger and promote sustainable food security. In the process they have often found themselves sued by seed leaders such as Monsanto - a David vs. Goliath combat for which the Kokopelli activists are prepared to fight all the way, convinced that they are that the freedom of farmers worldwide is at stake - if large corporations such as Monsanto win total control over seed distribution, they will rule the world.

just to let you know chère Nathalie with relation to a couple of posts ago about the coupe de Bordeaux I said it would be cold for the match Nathalie, we don't care we are ready to rock again today.I just have to mention this in order to take on the appearance of being appropriate and being worthy of commenting in your beautiful journal.

One celebration I loved Nathalie, there was a zip line, a ride from one end of churchill square to the clock tower.The kids were riding above the festivities strapped in. I think this is so poignant this route to the clock tower.

Since Edmonton is hosting but not in the coupe de Grey Cup I will cheer for Montreal Alouettes parceque c'est l'équipe francaise.

VIVE LA FRANCEVIVE QUEBEC

GO ALOUETTE GO GENTILLES ALOUETTES.LET FRANCE BE PROUD OF YOU!

ps I received a free grey cup blanket just for signing up for another master card ha ha.

This is fascinating. Would love to have been there. I love these people and the fruit and vegetables they keep safe for ever. I remember, as a child, so many varieties of apples in Kent - most of them you don't see anymore. Happily there are many seed catalogues to buy the old varieties in seed form. Super post and photos.

After six years in Australia and five years of city life in Avignon I moved to the countryside near the small village of Beaumes-de-Venise. Once dedicated to street photography my blog has since taken a more rural note but the beautiful region of Provence is an constant source of inspiration.